STATE AND ACTION

VERBS
Also called stative and dynamic
verbs
 STATE VERBS
• A state is when something stays the same.

• State verbs are not used in the continuous

form
 ACTION VERBS
An action is when something happens
 STATE VERBS
1. VERBS OF THE SENSES

Appear
Hear
Look like
See
Taste
 STATE VERBS
2. VERBS OF THE FEELINGS
like
Hate
Love
Prefer
Want
Wish
 STATE VERBS
3. VERBS OF THINKING
Agree
Believe
Forget
Know
Think
Understand
 STATE VERBS
4. VERBS OF POSSESSION

Belong to
Contain
Have
Own
 STATE VEREBS
5. VERBS OF BEING

Be

Exist
 STATE VERBS
6. OTHER VERBS
Cost
Depend on
Mean
Need
 STATE VERBS IN THE
CONTINUOUS FORM?
It’s OK to use a state verb in the continuous form if it
expresses a temporary feeling

“-How are you getting on in your new school?

-I’m loving it”
 VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS
STATE AND ACTION
It is possible for some verbs to express
state and action if they have two different
meanings
 VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS
STATE AND ACTION
HAVE
Action:
“He’s having a shower” (=taking)

State: “He has a house in London”

 VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS
STATE AND ACTION
THINK
“He thinks Obama will win the elections”
(opinion = state)

“what are you thinking now?” (action)

 VERBS THAT CAN EXPRESS
STATE AND ACTION
SEE
Action: “I’m seeing my dentist next
Tuesday” (=have an appointment with)

State: “ I see what you mean”

(=understand)